The Osceola times., 1887-09-17
A JAPANESE PARTY.
esw the hikado Sometimes Entertains
His Distingnfshed Snhierfs

HnDisthgufshed SUBJECTS.
The Mikado himself catches the in.
spiration OF the season. and gives an
annual garden party in the Hama
Rikiu Palace grounds or park. Through
the courtesy Of General Hubbard !
received an invitation, surmounted by
golden chrysanthemum (the imperial
cresD, and delicately engraved in
japanese, bidding me to the CHERRY.
Blossom Meeting at three O'Clock
Thursday afternoon. The list of invi-
tations was very limited--oomprising
only the nobility of the highest rank,
officers distinguished for their services,
foreign naval officers and the different
diplomatic and counselor corps-not
above three hundred in all; so it was a
good opportunity to see the leading
elements Of the society at the japanese
court. The guests assembled promptly
at three O'Clock in a certain part Of the
park, and shortly after the band struck
up the national anthem announcing
the arrival of the imperial party.
The Mikado wore II rich gold and
black uniform, similar to that Of
General in the German army. and
bore himself very stilly. not deigning
to smile even at the Ambassadors, with
whom he alone exchanged greetings.
His face Is heavy and not attractive.
His hair and eyes and slight mustache
are black as coal, and his dark com.
plexion has no trace of the red which
brightens many of the japanese faces.
He is about thirty-four years old and
rather small in stature. Doubtless his
proud bearing is due to the atmosphere
in which he was born and bred-and
all his life, until recently, he and his
people have been nurtured in the belief
that the Mikado is divine--thc Son OF
Heaven He was accompanied by a
half dozen officers in black uniforms.
richly ornamcnted with gold, and then
came the Empress, far superior to her
liege in force of character and personal
attractiveness. Her imperial High.
ness shook hands and chatted pleas
antly with various diplomats and their
wives and ladies. putting all into q
merry humor aud following the En-
peror like sunshine after n cloud. Her
Highness aud several ladies in waiting
who accompanied her were dressed in
handsome garments of Partisan pat
tern. having recently abandoned theiI
own national and artistic costumes.
That Of the Empress was n rich gros.
grain of peculiar moss-green shade.
trimmed with bead passementerie II
uihe darker. Bonnet of the same ma
terials surmounted by pale pink ostrich
tips. A charming costume for the
Sigh; and graceful figure and spark.
ling brunette features of her Imperial
Highness.
The band played wonderfully well
and led the cortege n little distance
through the picturesque park until we
arrived at q tiny lake where, on q
sloping bank, was pavilion hung and
fcstooned with scarlet and white bro
cade. Within was the most royal en-.
tertainment imaginable. No delicacy
that a European gourmet could suggest
was lacking, and the flavor of the Mi
kado's champagne is as famous as that
OF the late Car of Russia. The little
tables and chairs scattered in front of
the pavilion, the strains of distant
music, the lovely views. the brilliant
guests-all seemed TO invite to loiter
leisurely in this enchanted spot An
hour or more flew quickly by and the
national air was played again while we
watched their Imperial Highncsses take
their leave. We then wound around
through the park, passing almost within
reach of the surf breaking on the rocky
shore and catching glimpses of the
curious square-sailed ships peculiar to
Japan. and suddenly in sequestratcd
spot came upon smaller pavilion hung
with royal purple brocaded with white
chrysanthcmums Here were served
tea, coffee, corlials, etc, and the guest,
were given souvenir bon-bons on which
were stamped the Imperial crest.-SL
IoJlis Past UiSijdfch